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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Trainwhistle Jamboree brings 'Ready Brigade', Nolanville together

by Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 504th BFSB Public Affairs

NOLANVILLE, Texas– Community may be an idea lost in the urban sprawl, commercial and industrial expansion that swallow smaller cities and towns across the country but one central Texas town, along with the help of a few Fort Hood Soldiers, works to buck the trend.

Soldiers assigned to 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade teamed up with the city of Nolanville as they took part in the 2nd Annual Trainwhistle jamboree Saturday, Sept. 14.

“We appreciate all the people; military, businesses and citizens that are out here today. It seems like the military comes out more compared to the past,” said Dennis Biggs, a council member and vendor at the festival. “It’s important the Army come out so people get a chance to understand what the Army does.”

Wide-eyed younger residents explored an M1200 Knight and an M1984 wrecker on display, marveling at the sheer size of the tires, excitedly looking through a surveillance sight and laughing at the volume of the wrecker horn. Older residents came to see some of the newer equipment the Army is using.

“It’s important to show support of local communities,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Whitney, the 504th BFSB command sergeant major. “Our involvement allows residents to gain an understanding of what we do and the equipment we use. It means a lot to the community.”

The Jamboree, originally scheduled as part of National Night out, is an annual festival meant to bring businesses and residents together for one night to celebrate the community with live entertainment, carnival rides and vendors, provided mainly by volunteers.

“We couldn’t do it without them, and we couldn’t do this without the residents of Nolanville,” Richard Kincaid, a Killeen business owner, said of the vendors, volunteers and residents.

According to the city manager, all residents of Nolanville are encouraged to participate in the development of the city and the community by attending city council meetings, volunteering whenever possible or just by providing feedback.

“We have an open door policy. If there is any way to improve, we want to know,” said Stephen Pearl, Nolanville city manager.

Residents make their way through the main grounds of the Nolanville Trainwhistle Jamboree Sept. 14. The Jamboree, originally scheduled as part of National Night out, is an annual festival meant to bring businesses and residents together for one night to celebrate the community with live entertainment, carnival rides and vendors, provided mainly by volunteers. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 504th BFSB Public Affairs.)

1st Lt. Noah Snyder, a fire support officer with A troop, 2nd Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, helps a boy up to the cupola of an M1200 Knight vehicle so he can take a look through the sight. Snyder and other Soldiers from 2-38 Cav were on hand to provide support during the 2nd Annual Trainwhistle Jamboree in Nolanville, held Saturday, Sept. 14. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 504th BFSB Public Affairs.)

A boy takes a look through the site of the M1200 Knight vehicle during the Trainwhistle Jamboree Saturday, Sept. 14, in Nolanville. The surveillance and reconnaissance vehicle was provided by A Co., 2-38 Cav, 504th BFSB. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 504th BFSB Public Affairs.)

Hayden, 10, pulls the chord on the M1984 wrecker, and smiles at the resounding horn. Hayden and his mom, Misty, recently moved to central Texas from California, choosing Nolanville for the "small town feel". (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 504th BFSB Public Affairs.)